MOLLIFYING Synonyms: 203 Similar and Opposite Words

mollifying 1 of 2

adjective

as in conciliatory

tending to lessen or avoid conflict or hostility a future son-in-law using mollifying flattery to overcome a bad first impression

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mollifying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of mollify

as in appeasing

to lessen the anger or agitation of an apology would probably mollify your friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in alleviating

to make more bearable or less severe a friendly gesture that did a lot to mollify their suspicions about the new neighbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of mollifying

Verb

Netflix’s decision back then was in part aimed at mollifying shareholders, who at the time were flipping out over a slowdown in subscriber growth. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 1 July 2026 The first generation of parents to have resorted, at least occasionally, to mollifying their children by putting digital screens in their hands has now seen those kids grow up. — Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026 By many accounts retailers were pleased with their level of business Thanksgiving Day through Saturday, mollifying some concerns that higher prices and economic uncertainties would put a big dent in holiday spending. — David Moin, Footwear News, 30 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mollifying

Adjective

Leavitt struck a more conciliatory tone with reporters during a farewell press gaggle on Thursday.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
And before Friday’s game, hours before the casino sighting, Lovullo seemed to strike a conciliatory tone.

— Marc Carig, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of conciliatory

Verb

While this might sound appeasing to some, the Big Ten is not onboard with this idea, sources told OutKick-FOX News and others.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Interest—from both visitors and islanders—is gently shifting away from polishing playboy yachts or appeasing the decadent whims of retirees, to something, well, more real.

— Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026

Definition of appeasing

Verb

Europe’s efforts are for now too modest, too regulated, too fragmented, and too focused on alleviating government restrictions rather than promoting commercial use to fundamentally change dependencies that have accumulated over decades.

— Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
In 2021, in hopes of alleviating economic pressures during the pandemic, Congress passed legislation eliminating premiums for people with the lowest incomes and reduced the cost for people with higher incomes.

— Robert Applebaum, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of alleviating

Verb

The deployment of the giant carrier with nearly 100,000-ton displacement is aimed at relieving the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been at sea for over 250 days.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
Beyond muscle-relieving massages, Sofitel Spa offers holistic facials and banana leaf wraps as well.

— DeMarco Williams, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of relieving

Adjective

Booze, black pepper, and leather accords give the note a sultry, noir bend, while white musks and soft florals transform vanilla into something comforting and cocooning.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
An improbable preparation that somehow manages to be immediately familiar and comforting, this cheeseburger fried rice is a little peek into all the fun going down at Agnes and Sherman in Houston, one of our Best New Restaurants of 2026.

— Nick Wong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of comforting

Verb

Their first seven runs came off the lefty’s heater, helping the Cubs build a 9-0 advantage through four innings.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Here’s a look at how policy changes and protocol changes in high school football are helping make the sport safer.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of helping

Adjective

The new movie follows a benevolent ex-pilot named Hig (Jacob Elordi) who, after losing his wife during a catastrophic global pandemic, lives out in the wilderness with his dog, Jasper, and ornery isolationist pal Bangley (Josh Brolin).

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
City leaders agree large, unsupervised gatherings could put kids at risk even if most attendees are there for benevolent reasons.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of benevolent

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“Mollifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mollifying. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mollifying

adjective

verb

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